Wabanaki Artifacts Spark Collaborative Archaeological Efforts

A groundbreaking archaeological project at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) is shining a light on Wabanaki heritage through the discovery of previously unstudied artifacts. These items, stored in the university’s Archives and Special Collections, have prompted a collaborative effort between university researchers and the Wolastoqey Nation to explore ancestral histories. This partnership aims to address the significance of the artifacts and their cultural context, which had been overlooked for decades.

Uncovering Hidden Histories

In a recent discussion, Ramona Nicholas, the Wabanaki Heritage Lead at UNB, expressed her excitement about the project. “I wanna say, it’s about time,” she remarked, highlighting the long-overdue exploration of her ancestors’ artifacts. The collaboration began after archaeologists uncovered an extensive collection originally attributed to Loring Woart Bailey, a 19th-century scientist who collected artifacts predominantly from the Wolostoq River region.

Initially thought to contain around 25 artifacts, the collection actually consists of 25 boxes filled with items significant to Wabanaki culture. This revelation emerged during a 2023 research initiative, prompting Ken Holyoke, an assistant professor of archaeology at the University of Lethbridge, to reassess the project’s scope. “Immediately, the scope of this kind of grew, and we were like, ‘oh, wow, that’s pretty significant,'” he stated.

Ethical Considerations and Community Involvement

Bailey’s methods of collecting artifacts have drawn criticism due to their lack of consent and context, which are essential in modern archaeology. “A lot of what he did would be considered looting by today’s standards,” Holyoke noted. As the team began cataloguing the contents, they discovered burial-related items, including beads linked to child burials in the Tobique region. This discovery prompted immediate outreach to the Wolastoqey Nation for guidance and collaboration.

Members of the Wolastoqey Nation, previously unaware of the collection’s existence, welcomed the opportunity for involvement. Jamie Gorman, resource development consultation coordinator with Neqotkuk First Nation, highlighted the potential for storytelling, stating, “This became this opportunity to be like, wow, we can tell these stories.” Community meetings were organized, allowing Wolastoqey members to participate in the research and documentation process.

The artifacts provide insights into periods of Wabanaki history that have been underrepresented, particularly the Late Maritime Archaic and Early Maritime Woodland periods. The research team has been careful to set aside sensitive materials, allowing elders and leaders from the Wolastoqey Nation to decide how to handle them.

Among the significant finds is a unique groundstone frog sculpture, noted by Trevor Dow as a rare artifact in the archaeological record. Dallas Tomah, a research assistant and member of the Wotstak First Nation, expressed mixed emotions about the discoveries. “There’s a sort of bittersweet-ness to it,” he reflected. While he admires the craftsmanship of his ancestors, he also recognizes the broader issue of accessibility for Indigenous communities to their cultural artifacts.

Tomah emphasized the importance of Indigenous involvement in research related to their heritage, stating, “This is a very small fraction of what Indigenous communities don’t have access to.” The project has initiated discussions around more respectful practices in archaeology, ensuring Indigenous voices are integral to the narrative of their pasts.

Looking forward, there are hopes for the eventual return of the collection to the Wolastoqey Nation. “I think it would be an incredible healing process for Indigenous communities to have access to these materials,” Tomah said. Preliminary talks are underway, with plans to potentially showcase the artifacts within Wolastoqey communities.

As this project continues to evolve, Nicholas recently led a talking circle aimed at renaming the collection, further integrating community input. Gorman expressed optimism, stating, “This is a good news story, more than it is emblematic of injustice in the past,” underscoring the collaborative spirit that now defines the initiative.

The collaboration between UNB and the Wolastoqey Nation serves as a significant step towards reconciling historical narratives and fostering a deeper understanding of Wabanaki culture, paving the way for future archaeological practices that respect Indigenous heritage.